R. sanctithomae -- suggestions, etc?

[token]

I really like these 'shrooms but I am having a bit of difficulty finding valid info on them.

Is there a way to judge how much light is too much or not enough? Do they prefer more blue light or less? I ask because both colonies are becoming a less vibrant color over time, losing the red highlights (high light, high flow colony) and purple highlights (lower flow, lower light) respectively.

I have some in relatively high flow and they are performing much better than another rock in a much lower flow area. What has been the experiences of others out there?

They seem to actively feed; I often notice one or two polyps on the lower flow rock closed after feeding, and I am guessing that they caught a stray. Does this coincide with others' experiences? The ones in higher light don't respond to food at all.

Any other observations are truly encouraged!

TIA!

 

[sabodish]

you wont find much info because they are pretty rare. i was lucky enough to find one a few months back that has sprouted 2 new babies already. i have the purple/green variety about mid tank depth, approx 2 feet from my 400W 10k halides. they are in strong intermittent flow as i have an ocean motion. i have not noticed any lightening of the coral since i had it. they do actively feed, as i have seen them catch pellets and brine out of the water column.

liveaquaria had some awesome bright red ones a few weeks back, it was like 4 shrooms for $250!

 

[token]

sabodish: Are yours shaded by the reef in your tank or do they receive the direct light from your bulbs?

If I had to say that one colony is doing better than the other, I would say that the high flow/light colony appears much better in terms of the bubbling effect of the polyps on the 'shroom, overall inflation, etc, but not as good as the low light/flow colony in terms of coloring.

Beautiful and distinct 'shrooms but a bit frustrating, atm. Hopefully this thread can bring together the thoughts, opinions and observations of those who are successfully keeping them.

 

[sabodish]

they arent shaded,but they are off to the side so dont get blasted with the lights at all. heres a pic of mine.

 

[token]

Here's an extreme close-up of mine that shows the hues that I am losing.

Since I took that, the polyps are uniformly shifting to a non-descript shade of brown... I can see the smallest amount of the rich, purple hue in the flesh near the mouth, but the individual bubbles have lost it.

Yours is beautiful!

 

[sabodish]

thanks!
i would try moving yours so its not in direct light and see how it reacts.